Mystery in missing passengers’ boat

CAMP GEN. PANTALEON GARCIA, IMUS, Cavite – Mystery shrouded the whereabouts of the 12 banca passengers, including four minors and two senior citizens, who have been missing for the last two weeks off the waters of Bataan and Cavite provinces.

This developed as the authorities reported that the banca was found by fishermen and the Coast Guard (CG) about 60 nautical miles off the shore of Nasugbu, Batangas, without trace of any 12 passengers.

Senior Superintendent Arthur Velasco Bisnar, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, citing the CG-Nasugbu report, said that the banca was recovered in the Batangas waters with two decomposing goats tied to the vehicle Saturday morning.

The banca, with a damaged outrigger, is now at CG-Nasugbu station. The banca was identified by a close relative of a missing victim as the one used in the travel.

With the development, the CG widened its search and rescue operations from the waters of Bataan and Cavite to Batangas in the hope finding the victims in the area.

The banca, with the 12 passengers left Mariveles, Bataan, where they attended a barangay (village) fiesta two Saturdays ago. The banca was bound to Naic, Cavite. (Anthony Giron)